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Amateur Andy Ogletree said he would savor the
experience even in the absence of fans from the tournament,
which was moved from April to November because of the pandemic
and starts on Thursday.
"It's obviously been a crazy time," the 22-year-old American
told reporters on Monday.
"A lot of people have lost a lot. I know my problems are a lot
smaller than a lot of people's problems.
"I'm not going to take this week for granted."
To maintain social distancing, the tradition of amateurs like
Ogletree staying at the famed Crow's Nest in Augusta National's
clubhouse has been altered, with the player's taking turns.
"I am going to stay on Wednesday night after the amateur
dinner," he said.
"I'll stay up there before the first round, and if it's open
another night, I might try to stay there again."
Ogletree, who won the 2019 U.S. Amateur Championship, is aiming
to become the first amateur to win the tournament.
Hard-hitting American Matthew Wolff said playing at the
tournament for the first time was the realization of a lifelong
goal.
"It's more of a dream come true than playing in any other
tournament," the 21-year-old said.
"It's the one tournament that as a kid, you always know exactly
when it is, you watch every single shot that you can, and it's
kind of the Mecca of golf.
"To be here in my first Masters is unbelievable."
Wolff has shown he can compete on the sport's biggest stages,
coming in second at this year's U.S. Open and tied for fourth at
the PGA Championship to quickly make a name for himself.
He said being at the tournament has already exceeded his high
expectations.
"It's an unbelievable place," he said.
"You don't know what it's like until you're here. It's pretty
awesome."
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; editing by Richard
Pullin)
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